RAVENNA, Ohio - An animal sanctuary is looking for donations after helping rescue one dozen farm animals from poor and unsanitary conditions. 

 

Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary was called in back on March 8th to help the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County. 

 

In total, one donkey, three ponies, five goats, one alpaca, a rooster and a hen were rescued from a barn in a rural part of the county. 

 

21 News was told by Happy Trails that the elderly owner could no longer care for the animals and they had to step in. 

 

"I don't feel like it's our case to judge and I have empathy to a certain point, but I can say that it's a good thing that someone called to step in and get her some help," said Laurie Jackson, Executive Director of Happy Trails. 

 

She said when they got on scene, they found the animals were living in makeshift pens that had no electricity. 

 

"Each of the animals were in makeshift pens, kind of locked in an enclosure, feet deep manure, cobwebs, no clean water or food to be seen," said Jackson. 

 

The animals were then taken to the sanctuary in Ravenna where they began their rehabilitation process.   

 

"These animals are lucky. They were signed over for a new lease on life. We don't have to wait. They don't have to look back," a Facebook post by the group said. 

 

Jackson said the animals are doing well and progressing as the agency works to get their bodyweights up and healthy enough so they can find new homes. 

 

However, Happy Trails needs the public's help to defray the cost of vet exams, teeth floats, vaccinations, de-worming, hoof trims, farrier work and feed for the animals. 

 

"You can check us out at happytrailsfarm.org or visit us on social media," said Jackson. 

 

The group also just started up its volunteer program for those who are interested.  

 

Officials from the sanctuary said charges are pending for the former owner of the animals.